BTA: ‘We See This Action As Counter-Productive’
[Updated] The BTA said they see today’s withdrawal of labour “as counter-productive to the fragile economic recovery” and said they “received no forewarning from labour leadership on this matter.”
The BTA said, “The call for a ‘withdrawal of labour’ today and this coming Monday is essentially saying: ‘shut down the country’. The Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Bermuda Hotel Association realize that our labour force has certain legal rights to lay down tools and express their opinions on management and labour issues.
“However, it appears this work stoppage is not one of those occasions. We see this action as counter-productive to the fragile economic recovery that is underway among retailers, restaurants, hotels and tourism attractions.
“The Bermuda Industrial Union previously assured the business and tourism sectors that we would be forewarned if any work stoppage was planned by union members.
“As a courtesy, the warning would have helped businesses to better plan to accommodate our valued guests who are now on island. Unfortunately, we received no forewarning from labour leadership on this matter.
“A typical visitor to our island spends on average $201 per day and this weekend Bermuda is hosting hundreds of individual visitors, several conference groups and a major golf tournament. Many will be inconvenienced by the work stoppage as they attempt to use public transit and other public services.
“These activities negatively impact upon their view of Bermuda and diminishes their local spending, directly harming an already bruised economy and the workers the unions represent.
“Furthermore, a ruined vacation, convention or golf experience is a memory they take with them and share with their friends and family, and greatly reduces the chance of their return.
“More importantly, this work stoppage and the highly adversarial political environment continually covered in the local media and on social media channels is damaging our global image.
“Travellers looking for a vacation destination are looking on-line as they consider which destination to choose. The negative and divisive discourse concerning our civic disagreements is a deterrent to those audiences and prospective business, investors and leisure visitors which ultimately is the determining factor as they select another destination.
“We are calling on Government and union representatives to resolve their important civic issues with more sensitivity to the impact on our tourism and hospitality industry – the one sector all parties agree is vital to the overall growth and economic recovery of Bermuda.”
The withdrawal of labour has resulted in the loss of bus and ferry service as well as the cancellation of garbage collection and you can follow our live updates here.
Update 4.45pm: Shadow Minister of Tourism & Economic Development, Jamahl Simmons said, “The concerns raised by the Bermuda Tourism Authority are noted. Like them, we are deeply concerned about the impact that any industrial action has on the second pillar of our economy.
“Where we part ways however is in our understanding that this current and potentially ongoing action is a direct result of the OBA’s approach to immigration and a refusal to listen by Premier Dunkley. This has caused the people to take action.
“The OBA have no mandate to carry out this agenda. In fact the OBA’s current and former leader repeatedly denied prior to the 2012 election that would grant status to thousands of non-Bermudians. This deception, failure to listen and their refusal to engage in bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform have led Bermuda to this point.
“I would encourage the BTA to lobby the OBA to keep their promises and adjust their approach to immigration or return to the polls and get a mandate from the people.
“If they are unwilling or unable to lobby the OBA, we encourage them to focus their energies on improving our current record 49 year low in air arrivals.”
Shame on BTA for not supporting Bermudians well again most of their jobs are in New York so I am not surprised!
Lies.
The BTA is comprised up of 90% Bermudians with the vast being employed in the Bermuda office.
Shame on you guys for not supporting our fledgling tourism industry.
The only thing that’s getting support is the BONUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on top of the salaries that they profit on. In the real World employees get a bonus from increase sales/profit. What’s the OBA/ B T A excuse for giving the tax’s payers money out like it’s Christmas every month?
shame on tourism for not representing more Bermudians within the hotel industry, shame on bta for taking a raise in this stressful economic times when more Bermudians than ever before are unemployed, shame on Bermuda government for not listening to the people, these same oba are the old ubp that we voted out in 1998 for not listening to the people and the plp found out as well that regardless what government is in power if they don’t listen to the people born in this island it is to their demise! Mr. Hansbury never had it so good! shame on us Bermudians for being too nice and inviting too many diverse cultures to the island, especially since they are from countries that do not reciprocate the favour for Bermudians, there is nowhere else in this world Bermudians can go to in order to support their families with a high standard of living like how we make available for people that do not have any legal or other rights to this island..Its just a shame all the way around.
Shame on you for being such an idiot and spewing a bunch of lies to back up your illegal action. You, as a Bermudian, have the right to go live and work in the UK and all EU countries. Educate yourself.
Shame on you ace boy for drinking the kool aid . Nobody BERMUDIAN asked the UK for the right of abode , as a matter of fact explain to the people WHY the UK extended the RIGHT FOR BERMUDIANS TO LIVE ON ENGLAND . If you could , without blaming the PLP for England’s decision .
Every action has a reaction of sort , so I say to the BTA , tell the OBA that this immigration bill is doesn’t bode well for the tourism industry , major disruptions of goods and services are a direct result of the stubbornness of the OBA leadership , and certain people , will take it to the end , wherever that maybe .
They , THE OBA WILL BEND TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE , ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME …. CAN WE AFFORD IT … SOONER IS FAR BETTER THEN LATER !
Bermudians may not have asked for this, but many take advantage of it.
You really do operate in a vacuum from truth, in a single sentence you has highlighted the need for people to educate themselves on how Bwrmuda actually works for Bermudians when ideologies are removed
Shame on all the bus drivers, garbage collectors and other people who didn’t show up to work today. They are running this island into the ground.
They can stay off the job as far as I’m concerned. I will take my daughter to school, take my own garbage to the incinerators and GLADLY offer rides to anyone needing one. BIU, we can do without you…..It may not be fun but it’ll a lot better than living under your threats!
@ Robert “I can take my daughter, take my own garbage to the incinerator and GLADLY offer rides to anyone needing one”…………………just so that you know, this is not ALL about you.
@hurricane–you are just an ill-wind, Robert hardly implied it was all about him , but certainly he is entitled to HIS opinion.
@ Hurricane … I think the point ‘Robert’ is making is exactly that … it is not all about the BIU and all the jokers that think they can threaten us. We can quite happily do without them and their terrible driving, sneering faces and 3 year old tantrums when they don’t get their way. Perhaps they should try working for a real company that expects decent people to behave in a decent respectful way. Robert’s comment certainly does not come across as being arrogant and self entitled which is more than can be said for the people who expect a job for nothing other than just being “Bermudian”. They are embarrassing.
Its true. They are fighting for Bermuda and their “People” they will make any excuse for a day off. how about doing your job and showing your work ethic. This bill is already in the supreme court.. Stop making this about black and whites, shouldn’t we move pass this constant racism.
Sheep Sheep and more sheep and we all know what sheep ….just follow each other
don’t be ridiculous. Nearly all of them are in Bermuda. Shame on you, Bdaluv, for not realizing the harm this done to you and your country
Who would want to support a bunch of people who are only disrupting the island and bringing further damage to our economy??
the BTA’s sole goal is to get foreigners to come visit. Not exactly the easiest thing to do when you lot are going around showing how little you like them.
Shame on the BTA for not filling the empty airplane seats and hotel rooms!!! If BTA filled the seats and rooms they would be supporting Bermudians but they are too busy with filling their egos and their purses.
The BTA is right. Many Bermudians have business associates overseas, and rely heavily on foreign capital investment. Who would want to visit and invest in a country that downs tools immediately and stages a protest with calls for a coop?
I will say it again. I’m not anti-Bermudian, I am pro-truth. Once we stop pointing fingers at others we will realise the mistakes of today’s actions.
if you want the truth, if you can handle the truth, have a look at the news around this earth it is only gonna get worse, people are tired of being dictated to after voting they want respect and have not received it even when doing everything required, I don’t expect you to understand because only those that know about the past that still has an effect today understand what needs to be done!
many of those employees in the NY office were a waste of space and good taxpayers dollars. personal observation. glad they have been moved out.
Are you one of them?
Well said, BTA and BHA!
He will listen when the hotels go out – he will not listen to us. Money talks.
Who is the BTA last I check it was the man making $1000 a day = THE BOSS Bill Hanbury regardless if he does a piss poor job or not.
What’s crazy is Hanbury is not the only one on the staff who receives a bonus regardless of performance! Minister Crockwell is very generous with our money.
He didn’t get the memo from Minister Richards which states,”money doesn’t grow on trees. Well Bill’s tree is dropping 10 $100 dollar bills everyday.Talk about making it rain even with less tourist coming to Bermuda he is BALLLLINGGG.
Have you noticed you all are talking to yourselves? your tactics don’t scare us. we don’t care what you have to say. We are already suffering maybe its time for you to suffer as well.
Wow…. this is exactly your attitude inna…. if we aint got in neither should you….. go jump of abott’s if lifes so hard you selfish prk
@ democracy–YOU GO FIRST
‘When will they ever learn’?
The immigration proposal is counterproductive to all “real” bermudians.
It is the “trickle down” effect.
After generations of work by bermudians – just to give it away (with the stroke of a pen) to persons who arrive on these shores on a “work permit”
NO NO NO
That is what will happen if the pathways program is not putin place…..you are campaigning against yourself…
SMDH
Like the leader of the People’s Campaign?
Its a shame we are coming g for the people , when the government hasn’t listened one bit. You thinkbitsvthe PLP but they are suppose to go against what OBA that’s why they opposition. Until you people open your eyes and listen Bermuda will never go back to being for the bermudians . where can Bermudians go and make as much money here and send back home. We can’t so why are others allowed to be here call it their home just to make money and move back to their country and never spend a dime again. Please anwsee me I’m confused . I work in hospitality and there are more Indians and other races working then Bermudians especial in Fairmont Hotels. Guest always ask why aren’t their more locals because they won’t hire them that’s why.
Well, any Bermudian who is working in the US, Canada, or anywhere else (and there are many of them), is free to send their money back home to Bermuda! And I am sure there are some who do that, especially if they have family who need it. Perhaps they do it for their own retirement plans. Who knows? It works both ways you know!!! Somehow you just don’t get it!!
The question was are they making what we make here on this island. The wage is higher here than the united states and Canada. That is a no so when you making $15 dollars and hour plus tips and grats and sharing housing you are winning in their own Country . we as Bermudians can’t do that at all. Unless we making 6 figures most times they are not .
There are plenty of hard working Bermudians in the Hotel and hospitality industry.
Stop making up nonsense.
wrong more work permit holders ask FAHY
Where did you here that, I guess you anit stayed at anybof your local hotels . They only positions that Bermudians are in are the ones a forigen person. I.e. bartenders front desk agents and housekeeping. They rest are all non Bermudian.
Where did you here that, I guess you anit stayed at any of your local hotels . They only positions that Bermudians are in are concierge bartenders front desk agents and housekeeping. They rest are all non Bermudian.
…because no bermudians want to work for the low wages that these others will work for. They would rather make noise about having their jobs displaced, but if offered the same job and same wage they will turn it down and apply for assitance instead..
Makes perfect sense to me
That is a lie, Bermudians hurt each other by saying dumb crap like that. There are hard working Bermudians that will take anything in this point in time to support their families. Again it comes back to unity stop placing everyone in a category when it is only a hand fullnof bad apples.
that’s because the low wage isn’t enough to survive off of dummy. The Bermudian requires more because they are expected to give more Dummy! Foreigners live in conditions not acceptable to Bermudians and not even allowed, we cannot live in government houses with relatives or friends even to help out so where is the equality, or are you so blind!Bermudians working those same jobs would need another job just to make up for all the tax and bills that come our way so until you understand the different dynamics in living standards and conditions then shhhhshhhshshhsh
With a ratio of around 2.5:1 in favour of Pathways, it is actually more accurate to say that the OBA are listening to the people. They just aren’t listening to the PLP who would see no pathways at all, or at least not until we are independent.
How come all the other countries in the world don’t cry fowl when itheir people stand up for what they believe? The BTA should have remained silent.
Because in other countires people stand up FOR humans rights, not AGAINST them. Oh, yeah and it doen’t help when the protesters are still taking a paycheque from the public purse to it!
They don’t get paid when they strike. So that should show you people that they’ll lose money to support their cost. There where people who aren’t union affiliated that still went and support for the cause. Open your eyes. Maybe you’ll see more or maybe you like being obliviously.
Hello, it wasn’t a strike. Chris said so.
The BIU people called in sick. They’re on sick leave. Open your eyes. You’re being used.
Do you really think an employer will willing pay someone knowing they out marching. People knew they was taking a loss.
your beliefs are not the peoples beleif, just cus u surround yourself with ignarance doesnt mean the whole country is that way…. because you dont read, dont understand how u are negatively affecting your country with your ignorance. shame on you mate, go life in Jamaica if you want anarcy and corruption
democracy?–why don’t you go live there so you understand what happens when foreigners try to take over certain peoples countries, or can you remember your way back to the caves
Bull. Should the BTA and BHA say “oh good idea” for shutting down the ferries and buses. It’s only hurting the people that Chris says he represents. Go look at all of the jobs open in the tourism economy right now. Hundreds. The turnaround is here…
This is not a labour/ Union issue. Yes we will shut down the country if nessasary…..it’s about our countries future that will directly effect our Bermudians, our children and our grand children.
There’s an old Chinese poverb “He who resists change, is destined to perish”
wake up Bemuda. Best thing I ever did was take my family out of Bermuda and move south! International business is your spine and your driving it away……
I Protest the Protest. #iprotesttheprotest
It’s another example of, “the blind leading he blind”…Who looses when people stop visiting Bermuda? Many will suffer and I thank God my wife and 2 Choc.Labs. are retired elsewhere…
Why should the BTA even chime in on this? We are in the off season, its not like they have produced anything that sees hundreds of tourists flying in this weekend. They should focus on figuring out how to get tourists here rather than taking time to release a press statement. Is there a correlation between customer satisfaction and not being able to get on a ferry? Probably, but that in itself doesn’t define an experience here. Concentrate on figuring out how we can lure tourists here rather than providing input into an issue that will sort itself out in the ensuing weeks ahead.
They should find something to bring people here , there are so many qualities that are here for them to sell and yet nothing
Cry me a river. Neither BTA nor any organization can fix in a few years what took thirty years to break. BTA is building a foundation for future growth. BTA is quite right that this demonstration idiocy damages Bermuda’s fragile economy. And for all you PLP lovers, you just watch the IB exodus by the week should that party be reelected. You’ll get what you want. No one who wasn’t physically born on the rock will be left to harangue. Fact is, we will be bereft of an economy, broke and lonely. If you think the IB community is going to base their businesses here, then have another toke. Lots of money left Bermuda under the PLP and ain’t coming back. Keep working hard to make sure you drive out what little we have left.
Mr Hanbury,
Mind we don’t march on you for that big paycheck + bonus for ZERO performance
Google Dr Heatley Ministry of Education
Go BTA!!!!
OK lets stop picking on Bill (alone). Have you checked out the bye who is the new gaming commissioner? He is making big dollars too and we dont even have the casino on the rock and he is saying it is years away! Wake up Bermuda these byes both work for Minister Crockwell and he likes spending our money on useless people!